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Dan tried to stomp out a trail in the snow for Ben to follow, but it was hard work and they made slow progress. The snow on the ground was well past their ankles, so they walked on the road, which was easier but inherently dangerous. He’d given Ben his coat and a stocking cap, but neither were sufficient for this kind of weather.
And the snowfall was not abating.
“I think we could persuade someone to give us a lift,” Dan said. “If we saw someone pass by.”
“But we haven’t. Because everyone else on earth had the sense to pull over or go home when the blizzard started.”
“If we can just find a town, we’ll get another car.” Which would be his third rental car in twenty-four hours...
“You think there will be an agency in whatever Podunk town we hit next?”
“If not, we’ll call someone. Get an Uber.”
“Assuming we make it to the next Podunk town,” Ben continued. “Assuming we don’t die of hypothermia on our way over.”
“We’re not going to freeze to death.”
“My hands and toes are icicles.”
“You’ll survive. I won’t let you freeze to death.”
“Are you planning to keep me warm with your body heat? Please don’t.”
Dan smirked. “Whatever it takes.”
“This was supposed to be a simple road trip. I didn’t expect it to go all Donner Party.”
“This is not remotely—”
“I have to warn you, if I’m hungry, I won’t hesitate.”
Dan brushed the snow from his face. “Just keep walking. Three miles shouldn’t take that long. Even in this weather.”
* * *
An hour later, Dan started to worry, not about his destination, but his companion. Ben was a trouper, not even complaining. Of course, that could be because his jaw was frozen shut. Or because frostbite was setting in. Or something worse. He’d taken an elderly lawyer and put him in extreme survival mode.
He didn’t make a fuss about it, but he made sure Ben was in his line of sight at all times. If he slipped and fell, Dan wanted to be in a position to catch him.
He could see how cold Ben was. His entire body shook. His movements slowed. He suspected Ben was losing feeling in his feet. Which meant it was all the more likely he might fall. And be unable to catch himself.
He’d dragged Ben into this mess. He had to make sure he didn’t die before the journey was complete. It would be pretty pathetic if they avoided the Grim Reaper only to be killed by Mother Nature.
“I think I see something up ahead.” He shouted so Ben could hear him over the wailing wind.
“Frosty the Snowman?”
“No. A building.” Dan squinted. “See it? Just off the side of the road.”
Ben tried to follow his gaze. “Gas station?”
“Maybe. Lights aren’t on, though.”
“If it has a roof, it would be an improvement.”
“True. And it might have a landline. We could get a call out.”
“Let’s go for it.”
They trudged in the general direction. By now, the snow looked ten inches deep, possibly more. They followed the exit ramp, slipping and sliding with every step, and eventually made it to the building.
It was a gas station with an ample shopping area. Dan wondered if it had closed because of the weather...or had gone out of business permanently. The look of the place suggested the latter, although viewed in a snowstorm in the dead of night, appearances might be deceiving.
He tried the door. Locked. No surprise there.
“Can we get in?” Ben asked.
“We could try the windows, I suppose. One might be unlocked.”
“Unlikely,” Ben’s voice trembled as he spoke. “There might be a back door.”
“I could break a window.”
“And then it would as cold inside as it is outside.”
“I see your point. Stand back.”
“Stand back? What does that mean? What are you—?”
Dan lifted a snow-encrusted boot and kicked the front glass doors as hard as he could. He kicked right between the two double doors, hoping to break the lock without smashing the glass.
“Didn’t work,” he muttered.
“You made progress.” Ben pointed. “See where the door frame is dented. Try again.”
“If the door breaks—”
“We can plug a small gap. But we have to be inside first.”
Dan reared back and gave it another hard kick.
The lock snapped. The door swung open.
Dan beamed with pride. “Guess I’m stronger than I thought.”
* * *
After inspecting the premises, Dan determined that the warmest spot in the empty unheated station was between the third and fourth aisles, far from the door which now did not completely close. He considered huddling in the bathrooms, which had no windows at all, but decided he wasn’t that cold. Yet.
He heard a humming sound from time to time, but got no indication that the heat was running. He couldn’t turn on the power, which meant he couldn’t heat his hands over the hot dog warmer. He decided this joint was not only closed but had been closed for a long time. Maybe closed in a hurry, since a good deal of merchandise had been left behind.
The snow kept tumbling down, even harder than before.
They weren't going anywhere any time soon.
Best thing he could do, he decided, was to stay warm and get as comfortable as possible. Surely by the time the sun rose, the sky would clear, and even if it didn’t, they’d spot snowplows driving by—especially if they spotted the vacated Ford Explorer on the side of the road a few miles back. He needed to be patient until help could arrive.
Could be a long night. Long and cold.
Ben scrounged together some seat cushions and a neck pillow he found on the shelves, then made a small pallet on the floor. He even scored a blanket, still in its plastic wrapper, advertising some sports team.
“Hey! Look what else I found!” Ben said grinning.
In his hands, he held a long thin candle, glowing at the top. “Found some matches, too.”
“Just one?”
“No. A box of eight.”
“I don’t think it’s going to make you appreciably warmer.”
“But it’s invaluable psychologically. It’s the difference between being trapped in a cave and being trapped in something...more like home.”
“This filthy abandoned gas station is never going to be homey.”
“That may depend upon how long we're here.” He gave Dan a sharp look. “This is another fine mess you’ve gotten us into.”
“Says my grumpy companion.”
“Grumpy abductee,” Ben corrected. “How’s your arm? We should redress the wound.”
Ben sterilized his wounded arm. Dan did not scream, though it hurt like hell. Once sanitized, Ben wrapped the wound in fresh gauze.
“You’re not a bad medic. Done this before?”
“Once or twice.”
“I’m getting a warm and fuzzy feeling, now that I know about your caregiving qualities. Have you changed your mind on the value of sharing body heat?”
“No.”
“Better than freezing to death.”
“I’m not sure.”
“You’re a bit uptight, aren’t you?”
“So my wife says. And...everyone else.”
Dan nodded. “Hey...I’m sorry about...you know. Tossing away your phone. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“No joke.”
“I just...I don’t know.” A crease crossed his forehead. “Wasn’t thinking clearly. I’m...worried. Very worried.”
“I know.”
“But that’s no excuse. It was a stupid power move. I bet you’d like to call your wife now. Tell her we’re stranded. She could start looking.”
“She already is.”
“How do you know?”
“I know. And she won’t let the snow stop her.”
“You know she’s got your six. Sounds like a great marraige.”
“Best ever. Only reason I’m still around.”
Dan scanned the shelves loaded with food, candy bars and chips and such. He had no idea how long they’d been on these racks waiting to be consumed. He’d pass. At least for now.
“Come morning, we can take turns walking to the highway.”
Ben nodded. “Bound to see a patrol car eventually.”
Dan cleared his throat. “You...might have to be the one who deals with the police. I kinda...” He shrugged. “I was told not to leave St. Petersburg.”
“In Florida?” Ben slapped his forehead. “Of course. You’re the boyfriend. They would naturally suspect you. And if they know you blew town, there’s a warrant out for your arrest.”
“A distinct possibility. So I’ll let you deal with law enforcement.”
“When were you planning to tell me you’re a hunted fugitive from justice? In addition to being a kidnapper.”
“Look, we’re off the grid, and we could go a good long time before we see another human soul in this—”
Dan stopped short.
He was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door.